By Linny Folau
Maamafo’ou Movete (32) is serving four and half years’ imprisonment for multiple charges, including possession of 17.31 grams of methamphetamine and supplying others with 11.88 grams of methamphetamine last year. His 20-year-old co-accused received a suspended sentence.
Justice Tupou sentenced Movete and Sosefo Tukia on 12 June at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. This was after Movete pleaded guilty to possession of 1.50 grams of methamphetamine, 0.53 grams of cannabis, possession of utensils including 11 empty packs, one piece of straw, one weighing scale used for packing and weighing illicit drugs.
He also pleaded guilty to resisting arrest when he pushed Police Officer Tafea as he got into his vehicle and reversed hitting him, while he was trying to arrest him.
On another case, he pleaded guilty to possession 17.31 grams of methamphetamine, 2.35 grams of cannabis, possession of utensils when he had 195 empty packs, two smoking pipes, two straws, one weighing scale, one flame gun used for packing and smoking illicit drugs. He also pleaded guilty to supplying others 11.88 grams of methamphetamine.
At the same time, his co-accused, Tukia pleaded guilty to possession of 0.77 grams of methamphetamine, 0.11 grams of cannabis, possession of utensils consisting of 217 empty packs, one piece of straw used for packing illicit drugs, two empty packs, one smoking pipe, and one weighing scale used for packing, smoking and weighing illicit drugs.
The court heard that on 17 October 2024, the Police were looking for one Kesomi Taufa in Sopu, when they received information that a green Mazda Demio car with a rental license plate was delivering drugs to Mr. Taufa. On the same day the police spotted the green car near Vakuuho. Both defendants were present and the police approached them.
The judge stated that Tukia immediately fled discarding 10 packs containing white substances and a white bag with 217 empty packs. He was apprehended and the packs he discarded were collected.
Mr. Movete pushed Officer Tafea, got into the Mazda Demio, reversed it hitting Police Officer Tafea in the process and escaped after discarding a black bag he had which the police later collected. Police Officer Tafea sustained injuries to his left arm as a result.
At the police station, Mr Tukia was searched, where the drugs and utensils were found on him.
The green Mazda Demio was later found abandoned in Tofoa and a search of Mr Tukia’s residence the drugs and utensils.
On the morning of 9 October 2024, Police again received reliable information that Mr. Movete was using a vehicle to supply drugs.The Police located the vehicle parked at one Leini’s residence, where they aproached and detained Mr. Movete.
A body search uncovered one pack containing a white substance and and four empty pack with a vehicle key. A search of the area near the vehicle detected one pack of shredded green leaves. Mr Movete admitted the items were his.
Inside the vehicle Police found 168 smaller empty packs in the door compartment on the driver’s side drugs and other drugs and utensils were seized from within the vehicle. More items
There were also 17 packs containing white substance found in the inner pocket cash, one pack containing white substance and four empty packs on the driver’s seat, shredded leaves, one joint containing shredded leaves; one pack containing a white substance in the money storage compartmen, among others.
Mr Movete admitted ownership of the seized items, all of which were taken into custody and removed to the Central Police Station for testing. The test results were: all of the white substances in the 18 packets found, all tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed a total of 17.31 grams.
In addition, all of the three packets containing shredded green leaves, the shredded leaves and shredded leaves found in the joint all tested positive for cannabis and weighed a total of 2.35 grams, she stated.
Mr Tukia who lives in Hala’ovave chose not to use the services of the Probation office and filed his own submissions in May, 2025.
Movete from Tofoa admitted to the offence and was deeply remorseful. He also accepted full responsibility for his actions.
Sentence
The judge convicted Movete and ordered that he serve four and a half years imprisonment. Of all the cases the sentences imposed it resulted in an aggregate sentence of five years imprisonment. The final six months was suspended for 12 months on conditions.
“This is one among too many cases that illustrate how, as this court has expressed time and again, methamphetamine and illicit drugs is a scourge inflicting harm and misery to the society. It is harming the youth and continues to be a serious and growing concern for the country and this court.”
Failure to comply with the conditions will result in the suspension being rescinded, in which case, the defendant will be required to serve his prison term in full.
Co-accused
As for Tukia, he was convicted and sentenced to 16 months imprisonment. He was already detained in custody for one and a half months. The total of his sentence was suspended in full for two years, on conditions.
The judge stated that he is a first time offender and according to his family had shown genuine remorse for his actions and is actively taking steps towards rehabilitation and realizing his business dream. Having said that, his role in this offending and by the illicit drugs and equipment found on him and in his residence, demonstrate he was an active participant by his affiliations with Mr Movete
However, the Prosecution proposed a fully suspended sentence.
“I am willing to afford the defendant a second chance to rehabilitate and reform is life with the support of his family, his sentence was suspended in full on conditions. Failure to comply with the said conditions will result in the suspension being rescinded, in which case, in which he will be required to serve his prison term in full,” stated the judge.
